Hecarim: 21-9 or 9-21?

I've been trying 9-21, and while I do like it, I do notice not being tanky at all in the early game. Which do you guys prefer?

Also, do you still get spirit of the elder lizard on him? And if you do, do you keep it the whole game? or do you sell it near the end?---GT: Chauvanistic - Only good player on gamefaqs - UMvC3 - Wesker - Doom - Strider - P4A - Teddie- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP7-8Q2kTe4 - 2:50